Local recruitment: Northwest New Mexico Project Manager

Position: Northwest New Mexico Project Manager 

Location: Thoreau, NM

Employment Type: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt 

Education/Experience Preferences: Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent professional experience preferred 

Compensation Range: $75,000-$105,000/year DOE

Reports To: Deputy Director, Navajo Water Project 

Manages: Lead Water & Solar Technicians, Water & Solar Technicians, Project Assistant

Supported by: Field Engineer; Program Operations Manager; People & Culture Manager; Manager, Finance & Operations; Operations Coordinator; Project Coordinator

Start Date: ASAP

We Are DigDeep

The DigDeep Right to Water Project is the only WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) organization serving the 2.2+ million Americans who still don’t have a tap or a toilet at home. 

DigDeep believes access to clean water is a human right. We run several nationally recognized programs that empower communities to build their own water and sanitation systems. We won the 2018 US Water Prize for our Navajo Water Project, which has brought clean, running water to hundreds of Native families across New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. DigDeep launched the Appalachia Water Project in July of 2020, which brings clean, running water into the homes of Appalachia families, starting in southern West Virginia. The project has already brought safe water to hundreds of homes through our innovative hydropanel project and a public-private partnership with the McDowell County Public Service District which is helping families connect to new water lines.

The Opportunity

DigDeep is looking for a creative, motivated, collaborative person to join our Navajo Water Project program team as the Northwest New Mexico Project Manager (PM). Reporting to the Deputy Director of the Navajo Water Project, the PM is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Navajo Water Project on the Northwestern Navajo Nation, contributing to DigDeep’s work throughout other parts of the Navajo Nation when required. This includes overseeing and implementing program activities, budgeting, staffing, collaborating and coordinating with the Navajo Nation government and water providers, external partners, and community members, while maintaining strong  communications with HQ. 

This job is full-time and based in Thoreau, NM. It involves frequent travel to program sites in Thoreau, NM and the surrounding areas, as well as to DigDeep HQ and other project sites across the US. 

Key Responsibilities

This is what you’ll do once you join the team:

Strategy 

• Collaborate with the Deputy Director to execute DigDeep’s work on the Northwestern Navajo Nation and the surrounding areas to serve people with excellence and  efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director to set new targets and timelines and identify and maintain partnerships with local governments, water providers, regulators, nonprofits,  businesses, and community members.
• Identify Navajo communities in the Eastern Agency needing WASH assistance; develop strategies for serving these communities based on their unique needs and resources.

Implementation

• You will plan and implement WASH programs that meet the challenges faced by  communities on the Northwestern Navajo Nation.
• Manage contractors and collaborate with the Program team as they design and implement new water projects from start to finish, monitor work plans and ensure objectives are met in a safe, timely, and complete manner.
• Conduct site visits; collect intake data and assessments from site visits, prepare Cooperative Partnership Agreements; obtain client consent prior to initiating work. Upon completion of work, collect all appropriate information and gather media for storytelling.
• Plan and direct field work according to plan laid out by the Deputy Director in order to meet all objectives, budgets, and timelines. 
• As needed, plan and guide donors, press, and media visits to the field; and oversee volunteer work.
• Ensure program compliance with relevant laws as well as all workplace and employee policies. 
• Routinely visit all project sites on the Northwestern Navajo Nation, and occasionally other projects on the Navajo Nation. 

Finance & Development

• Assist the Deputy Director in developing the annual program budget for the region and update the Northwestern New Mexico budget on a quarterly basis.
• Monitor expenditures throughout the year to ensure compliance with budget.
• Collaborate with the development team to maximize all revenue and storytelling opportunities, especially those related to major donor cultivation and annual campaigns. 
• Assist clients with DigDeep’s bill pay program, including collecting appropriate information and coordinating with local utilities. 

Build Partnerships 

• As needed, plan and implement outreach activities to develop visibility of the organization within the local community; represent the organization at local meetings. 
• Consult closely and regularly with relevant agencies (ex. IHS, BIA, EPA, etc.); establish and maintain positive political relationships within the community and partner organizations.
• Foster an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among staff, community members, elected leaders, partner organizations, and the public.
• Provide clear, concise reports on plans, processes, and outcomes to executive  staff; represent DigDeep at relevant conferences and events. 

Manage Talent

• Perform supervisory duties for the Northwest Navajo Water Project team, as appropriate; interview applicants for employment; resolve discipline problems and recommend termination as necessary; develop higher levels of expertise in staff by encouraging further education and providing learning opportunities.
• Lead and facilitate regular staff meetings, both virtually and in-person as appropriate; provide strong day-to-day leadership that bridges multiple communication  contexts to ensure all team members and clients are heard and understood.
• Uphold the unique culture of DigDeep by implementing values-aligned operations and management strategies for all work on the Navajo Nation. 

As the organization continues to evolve, duties or tasks may change without impacting the overall Job Description.

Competencies 

• Foster Teamwork: You can work both independently and as a collaborative team member. Consistently fosters collaboration and respect among team members by addressing elements of the group process that impedes the group from reaching its goal. You can work with a wide range of teams and readily share lessons learned and credit for team accomplishments. You remain respectful in communications and approach where disagreement exists. You enhance others’ commitment to work via demonstration of its impact, providing recognition and credit, and identify areas of growth.
• Managing Change: You’re a creative thinker with the ability to innovate and are comfortable in a rapidly evolving organization. Effectively navigates uncertainties and incomplete information with a problem-solving mindset to identify appropriate strategies, creatively apply solutions. Anticipate obstacles from both team members and active projects, beginning to forecast and prepare contingencies. You collaboratively establish structures and processes to plan and manage the orderly implementation of change. You champion new policies/procedures/strategies. You are a focal point for driving adoption within the functional area.
• Fostering Innovation: You are innovative and adaptive and believe anything is figure-out-able. You propose and implement your own ideas and suggestions in order to develop and streamline processes. You use understanding and forward thinking to devise responses to future situations. You display open mindedness and are willing to try new approaches.
• Excellent Communicator: You are able to clearly express yourself verbally and in writing. You have the ability to creatively plan and deliver written communications, utilizing graphics, statistics, and language in such a way as to have maximum impact on the intended audience. Debate opinions, effectively clarifying ambiguities and judgments. You handle conflict empathetically. You explain the context of multiple interrelated problems/challenges, asking searching, probing questions, and soliciting expert advice prior to taking action and making recommendations.
• Build Collaborative Relationships: You develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships inside and outside the organization with those who can provide information, assistance, and support in furtherance of the organization’s mission. Your team management skills include a strong vision and clear direction, sound judgment, good communication and conflict management skills. You’re culturally sensitive and have experience supporting the development of diverse, inclusive and equitable work environments, including an openness for learning.
• Results Oriented: You develop clear goals for self, team, and projects. You maintain commitment to goals, and employ creative, strategic solutions in the face of obstacles. Eager to take on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency and enthusiasm. You have proven experience with managing complex timelines for multiple project proposals at once and the management skills to hold collaborating team members to these timelines.
• Technical Expertise: You have demonstrated ability and depth of knowledge with the technology in the desired technical area. You effectively use and apply technical knowledge, and use your knowledge to identify solutions to existing problems.
• Values-Aligned: You behave ethically and with integrity, and in alignment with the values of the organization. Consistently follows through on commitments and lives our values of equality, transparency, and experience.

Skills and Qualifications

• 5+ years experience as a project/program manager; prefer skills in engineering, plumbing, electrical, and  other trades.
• 5+ years experience as a people manager required.
• 5+ years in the non-profit sector – social justice, community organizing, international development or environmental justice organizations strongly preferred.
• Able to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Able to define tangible measures for program evaluation and reporting.
• Able to focus in the face of pressure, deliver against timelines and not be intimidated  by tasks and/or time limitations.
• You are able to solve complex problems and collaborate with others to find creative  solutions.
• You’re a highly organized multi-tasker with a project management mindset; you  believe anything is figure-out-able.
• You’re driven by a desire to make our country (and our world) a better place to live. 
• Passionate about the mission and able to promote the philosophy, mission and values to just about anyone. 

Compensation and Benefits

At DigDeep, we believe that great work requires a great job. We pride ourselves on creating industry-leading employment opportunities for our team across the United States. We’re a supportive environment that values creativity, diversity and quick-thinking. Here’s how we’ll support you in your work:

• Competitive hourly wage/salary to commensurate with level of experience
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• 23 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Annual Professional Development Stipend
• Medical, dental, vision insurance, 100% employer paid 
• One Medical membership 
• Life insurance, 100% employer paid
• Work laptop
• Monthly cell phone allowance
• Domestic travel 
• 401k retirement plan, with employer match

Interested?

When applying please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume. References should be available upon request. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No office visits. No calls please. Thank you.

DigDeep has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health of our employees and community at large. Candidates applying to work at DigDeep should be ready to demonstrate proof of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and booster as a condition of their employment.

In an effort to promote pay equity and transparency, DigDeep does not negotiate compensation outside of posted compensation ranges. 

Please note that DigDeep cannot provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Pursuit to Navajo Nation’s Dept. of Labor NPEA Title 15 N.N.C. Chapter 7, members of the Navajo Nation are strongly encouraged to apply.

DigDeep is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. DigDeep is built on the principles of equity, transparency and the power of human experience. Your work will improve the daily lives of real people. We believe everybody should have the clean, running water they need to thrive. Join us, and we’ll close the US water gap in our lifetimes.

DigDeep is a certified Great Place to Work®